Featured Foodie: Basil & Bubbly

October’s featured foodie is Marianne Rogers of Basil & Bubbly one of my favorite foodies and person to splurge with on lavish meals at Zero George.

This Liquid Parmesan Tortellini is just a sneak peak into the evening I spent at Zero Restaurant and Bar last night with @queenofthefoodage . You’ll have to wait for November to read about the rest ( on skirt! Mag’s blog )

A photo posted by Basil and Bubbly ?? (@basilandbubbly) on Oct 15, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

How did you get your start?

I’ve always loved cooking and food, and have been everything from a professional cheese buyer to a coffee roaster to a cashier in a grocery store.  When I moved from a food-based career and went back to school for software development, I wanted an excuse to keep cooking.  Of course, I’d cook at home, but I wanted the accountability of a posting schedule.  I also wanted to showcase my software development skills by creating my own website.

Ultimately, the accountability failed, and I was too busy with my day job to keep up with it. Once things calmed down though, I’ve been really excited about it though, and that was over two years ago!  Now it’s less about making sure I’m still cooking and being creative, and more about sharing my recipes with my friends, family, and readers.

What’s your favorite thing about being a food blogger?

Generally, I hate other people and am perfectly happy sitting in my living room, drinking champagne while watching Netflix with my husband and cats, but even I have to admit, I have met so many cool people through my food blog, so I guess that’s my favorite thing AND a really surprising thing!  It’s cool to meet someone and instantly know that regardless of what other differences we have, we all have this bond over great food. It’s an art, and it’s fun to appreciate it with others.

You’ve definitely been to more Charleston food trucks than I have. What are some of your favorites?

I have an unhealthy obsession with Dashi.  Everything they make is amazing. EVERYTHING.  Recently, I’ve been a fan of getting two tacos: one chicken, one pork belly. I don’t even like pork belly usually, but they cook it perfectly.  If you’re trying them for the first time, those tacos are what I’d recommend trying.

I also really like Immortal Lobster; their Connecticut Roll is gloriously sinful.  I recently had that and some mid-range sparkling wine for dinner — it was divine: a perfect pairing.

If you’re ever in West Ashley, Auto Bahn is parked in front of Tin Roof full time now.  It’s hard to beat their Low ‘n Slow Banh Mi.  I wish they were still on the road, but there is something nice about knowing exactly where to get a killer Banh Mi all the time, too.

What’s one of your biggest “wins?”

It’s really cool to be scrolling through your Facebook feed or on Pinterest, and see that someone else thinks enough of your work to share it.  Recently my Corn Pudding was featured in Elle Decor, which was wild to me! I’ve also been featured in BuzzFeed, Country Living, Brit & Co, and POPSugar. Each time someone new features me, I’m absolutely over the moon.

What are you really craving right now?

Beef Wellington and a Rye Manhattan from Zero George.  Nachos and a Frozen Irish Coffee from Home Team. No, maybe the Nachos and Skinny Pineapple Margarita from Taco Boy. Champagne. Seared Scallops. Burrata. Not together. (Maybe together).

This is an impossible question. I can’t possibly narrow it down.  Wait, bucantini with heavy cream and pecorino romano.